The European Investment Bank’s development arm, EIB Global, will extend a USD 191 million loan to the Government of India to enhance water and sanitation infrastructure in Uttarakhand. This marks EIB’s first venture into India’s water sector and aligns with the EU’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, which focuses on sustainable infrastructure development.
The initiative aims to benefit around 9 lakh residents by upgrading water systems through real-time monitoring, automatic meter reading, and advanced plant automation. It also seeks to expand water access to underserved communities, ensuring reliable and clean water supply across the state.
Over the next five years, the project will work on reducing water leakages, improving wastewater treatment, and strengthening sanitation networks, particularly benefiting economically weaker households.
EIB Vice-President Nicola Beer emphasized the project’s potential to deliver significant health, environmental, and social benefits, supporting sustainable urban growth in a state witnessing rapid expansion in agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. This collaboration also reinforces EU-India ties, promoting shared goals of climate resilience, inclusive growth, and modern infrastructure development.
